Craze, a workout supplement developed by Driven Sports Inc, may be a more appropriate product name than originally intended. According to USA Today, the powdered supplement could contain unsafe levels of methamphetamine.
Investigations into Craze, currently listed out of stock on Driven Sports' website, began when several athletes using the supplement tested positive for a chemical similar to methamphetamine, called a methamphetamine analog, USA Today reported.
"In recent years banned and untested drugs have been found in hundreds of dietary supplements," lead author Dr. Pieter Cohen, Harvard Medical School said. "We began our study of Craze after several athletes failed urine drug tests because of a new methamphetamine analog."
The substance identified by doctors was not listed in the ingredients.
"The phenylethylamine we identified in Craze, N,alpha-DEPEA, is not listed on the labeling and it has not been previously identified as a derivative of dendrobium orchids," Cohen said.
Of products like Craze and companies like Driven Sports, Cohen said, "These are basically brand-new drugs that are being designed in clandestine laboratories where there's absolutely no guarantee of quality control."
According to Cohen, the methamphetamine analog may give its users the results they seek, but the side effects aren't yet known.
"If these findings are confirmed by regulatory authorities, the FDA (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration) must take action to warn consumers and to remove supplements containing N,alpha-DEPEA from sale," Cohen said. "Our fear is that the federal shutdown may delay this, resulting in potentially dangerous supplements remaining widely available."
Walmart.com and other online retail companies have stopped selling Craze, though it continues to be available from other sources, including nutrition chain GNC, according to USA Today.
Driven Sports Inc has issued several statements denying connections to methamphetamine and supporting its product. Below is an email from Driven Sports attorney Chris Ullman to USA Today.
"We have previously provided USA Today with a plethora of data from a DEA Certified Lab indicating the absence of any amphetamine-like compound in Craze. In light of USA Today's decision to ignore the data we have provided, we respectfully decline to comment for your story."
This isn't the first time Driven Sports has been associated with illegal substances. Its CEO, Matt Cahill, is currently under investigation for several different supplements that may have contained illegal substances, USA Today reported.
To track the full investigation, follow this link to USA Today's report.